I volunteer at an intermediate care centre - it's a residential rehab for people coming out of hospital, but there's a lot of similarities between it and a care home (primarily elderly patients, who've had issues with falls, dementia and other such health problems associated with old age).
I'd say the most important things to remember are:
- we're all just people - some more sick or debilitated than others, but almost everybody will appreciate a kind word and a cup of tea. Don't automatically treat them differently because they're ill or elderly (some people will be completely sound of mind, and will not appreciate being treated like a child!).
- you are
not one of the carers, and it's not your job to do everything that they do. You shouldn't be doing anything you've not been trained for, such as moving and handling patients, cleaning up bodily fluids, that kind of thing.
- the advantage you have as a volunteer is that you have the time to make people's stays more human. You can take the time to have a chat, play dominoes, do whatever the person finds passes the time pleasantly.
- if you're not sure about something, whether it be your actions or someone else's, report it! It might be nothing, or it might be something potentially dangerous or abusive. Don't think that you're wasting people's time.
- enjoy yourself! If you feel a connection with someone, then it's a positive interaction for both you and them. Remember that it's ok to be getting something out of volunteering for yourself!
Those are the main things I can think of off the top of my head, feel free to ask away if you want to know anything else.